If you want to get close to a distant subject, you need a telephoto lens. These are ideal for sports and wildlife photography, along with capturing candid shots of people at a distance. They’re also great for getting closer to details in both natural and urban environments which are lost in a larger view. Their broad flexibility coupled with a desire to zoom-closer than a standard kit lens makes a telephoto model the natural choice when most people start shopping for a second lens.

There’s a large variety of telephoto lenses out there and the first question you need to ask yourself is how close you want to get to your subject. If you’re shooting portraits or close-range action, then a zoom in the equivalent range of 70-200mm will be ideal. Canon offers no fewer than four 70-200mm zooms, and while they may not reach as far as a 300mm models, all four offer superb quality. If 200mm is sufficient for your needs, they’re highly recommended.

If you need to get closer to mid-range action or start photographing wildlife though, then you’ll want at least 300mm at your disposal, and if you really get into wildlife, and especially bird photography, you’ll want the longest lens you can afford. While the natural desire for many people is to always go for a zoom lens, don’t rule-out fixed-primes. If you always find yourself zooming-into the maximum focal length, you won’t miss out on any flexibility, but you’ll enjoy a lens that’s typically superior in overall quality.

Image Stabilisation is invaluable at high magnification and if you’re shooting subjects which move quickly, then USM focusing is also very useful.

Anyone shooting action or working in low light will also appreciate a lens with a larger aperture, indicated by a small f-number, such as f2.8. These may make the lens bigger, heavier and more expensive than models with average apertures, but have the major advantage of gathering more light. This allows quicker shutter speeds to be selected, which in turn enable you better freeze action or reduce camera-shake without having to increase your camera's sensitivity and compromise the image quality. Smaller f-numbers also allow you to achieve greater blurring on backgrounds, which is desirable on many action, wildlife or distant portrait shots.

Note when I mention full-frame bodies I'm referring to models like the EOS 5D Mark III. When I mention cropped-frame bodies, I'm referring to models like the EOS 100D, 700D, 70D, 7D and the entire range of Digital Rebels. If you’d like to learn more about lens specifications, from focal lengths to f-numbers, please see my lens guide. If you find the information here useful, please support me by shopping at the stores below!

Canon’s EF-S 55-250mm is an affordable telephoto zoom designed for owners of mainstream cropped-bodies; as an EF-S model, it’s not compatible with full-frame bodies. The EF-S 55-250mm picks-up where the standard 18-55mm kit lens stops, extending the equivalent coverage to a maximum of 400mm. This is the second edition of the lens which now features STM focusing that's quicker and quieter than before for movies, along with a slightly closer minimum focusing distance and a smoother seven bladed iris. Like its predecessor there's still Image Stabilisation to iron-out the wobbles. A great telephoto zoom for those on a budget.

The EF 75-300mm III is Canon’s most affordable telephoto zoom, and as an EF model it’s also compatible with both cropped and full-frame bodies, although its low price means it’s best-suited to entry-level cameras. The lens delivers a classic telephoto range, which extends to an equivalent of 480mm on a cropped body. There’s no Image Stabilisation which may make the EF-S 55-250mm preferable, but there’s no denying it’s great value.

The EF 70-300mm IS USM also works on both cropped and full-frame bodies, delivering a classic telephoto range. The price may be a lot higher than the model above considering it shares a similar range, but crucially this lens features both USM for quick and quiet focusing, along with Image Stabilisation to iron-out any camera-shake – an essential feature for a telephoto lens. A good option, but also consider the un-stabilised 70-200mm f4.0L at a similar price.

Canon’s EF 70-200mm f4.0L IS USM is the first ‘L’ lens in this list and really delivers the goods on both cropped and full-frame bodies. The range may not extend as far as 70-300mm models, but the optical quality is superb and as an ‘L’ lens, the build quality is also excellent. The lens also features a constant f4.0 aperture, quick and quiet USM focusing and Image Stabilisation, although note an un-stabilised version is available at almost half the price.

Canon’s EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM is a professional workhorse for both cropped and full-frame bodies. Like the model above it enjoys USM focusing, Image Stabilisation and ‘L’ quality, but what makes it really special is the constant f2.8 aperture allowing faster exposures for action shots and delivering nice blurred backgrounds for portraits. This aperture makes the lens relatively large, heavy and pricey, but it remains a coveted option.

Canon's EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM brings L quality to this popular zoom range. You get tough build quality, quick and quiet USM autofocusing, full-time manual focusing, effective image stabilisation and great optical quality in a barrel that's comfortably shorter (albeit fatter and heavier) than the EF 70-200mm f4L IS USM. It may not feature the constant aperture of the 70-200mm f2.8 and f4 options, but it zooms 50% further and the stubbier barrel more easily fits into bags.

If you want a quality telephoto zoom with longer reach, consider the EF 100-400mm IS USM, now available in a Mark II edition. Compatible with both cropped and full-frame bodies (and delivering equivalent coverage up to 640mm on the former), it’s ideal for capturing distant action or wildlife. The ‘L’ build quality is superb and there’s quick and quiet USM focusing along with Image Stabilisation. A great partner for the 24-105mm.

If you find yourself always zooming-in to the maximum focal length, why not go for a fixed lens instead? Models like the EF 200mm f2.8L II deliver superb quality and a bright f2.8 aperture at a much lower price than the 70-200mm f2.8 zoom, although note there’s no Image Stabilisation on this model. There is quick and quiet USM focusing though and ‘L’ build quality. A quality option for distant portraits or close-range action if you don’t need a zoom.

If you can live without a zoom, but are after the next step-up in magnification, how about the EF 300mm f4.0L? It’ll match the maximum coverage of most telephoto zooms, but the f4.0 aperture will allow you to use exposures twice as fast as those at f5.6. Coupled with quick and quiet USM focusing, Image Stabilisation and ‘L’ build quality, it’s a great option for mid-range sports and action. It’s also a lot cheaper than the f2.8 version adored by pro sports photographers.

For greater magnification without breaking the bank, consider the EF 400mm f5.6L, the most affordable long lens from Canon. It’s a quality performer with ‘L’ build and quick and quiet USM focusing, although this older model is sadly lacking Image Stabilisation which hints at a possible updated version in the future. The 300mm f4 plus 1.4x converter delivers similar coverage and aperture, but if you need 400mm, it’s the preferable choice.